AFTER brushing up on Wanderers’ famous FA Cup exploits – the current crop now have a chance to make some history of their own.

Phil Parkinson has made sure his players know exactly what giant footsteps they are following in by listing off the club’s achievements before the game.

But rather than be overawed, his team has proved once again they are made of sterner stuff by deservedly knocking out one of their closest League One rivals.

Sure, it should have been more comfortable. Gary Madine’s goal was the least they deserved from the first half, and two brilliantly-taken efforts from Sammy Ameobi and Josh Vela were worthy of winning the final itself.

Chris Wilder’s Blades only really showed their promotion credentials in the last half an hour, twice pulling back a two-goal deficit through Paul Coutts and Jack O’Connell. In the end, the men from South Yorkshire were left regretting they had not got their act together sooner.

Considering the days leading up to the game had been dominated by talk of shares, takeovers and even the dreaded administration the players showed absolutely no trace of trepidation.

Once again, Parkinson was ahead of the curve, speaking to his players the moment headlines started to emerge. That prevented any of the nervousness which was so evident in the football played at this stage of last season.

Wanderers have now won nine home games this season – that’s one more than Bayern Munich, Paris St Germain and Juventus, three more than Manchester City and four more than Barcelona.

In one sense it is a shame that such a small crowd had assembled to watch an absorbing game, just 5,699 Bolton fans, in total.

Though the visitors – who had lost in midweek to Walsall – made five changes, Parkinson made just one, bringing David Wheater back into the side after a back injury and dropping the unfortunate Derik Osede, who had been among the best performers at Northampton the previous weekend.

Wheater hardly missed a beat, summing up the resilience which was only seriously tested in the last third of the game. He had a claim for a goal ruled out in the first half after a goalmouth scramble ended with Reece Brown hooking the ball away. Replays have since shown the goal should have been given.

In fact it was not until the 86th minute that the former Middlesbrough man put a foot wrong at all, losing O’Connell at a corner for the Blades’ second goal.

But for a Stefan Scougill volley which was placed just wide, the visitors did not have a clear sight of Ben Alnwick’s goal in the entire first half.

In contrast, Wanderers picked their moments in possession and looked dangerous on the break.

Ameobi wasted a good chance early on, failing to hit the ball cleanly from close range after Josh Vela had cut a cross back on the right.

Madine was a constant threat at set pieces and had already had one header deflected over the top before being denied by Aaron Ramsdale’s razor-sharp reflexes midway through the half.

The former Wanderers academy keeper has now graduated to England youth level and in only his second appearance for the Blades showed he is a player with some promise.

Madine did get the last laugh as Lawrie Wilson flicked on Andy Taylor’s long throw and gave him the chance to finish smartly at the far post for his first goal since August.

It was a timely change of luck for a former Sheffield Wednesday favourite and one which is thoroughly deserved, considering his recent performances.

Zach Clough continues to grow in his position on the left flank and is now taking on defensive responsibilities more readily.

He gave Andy Taylor ample help going back towards his own goal but when he got the opportunity to turn and run at the Blades, his real talent shone.

One gliding run came seconds after the restart, took two players out of the game, and his lay-off was driven home spectacularly by Ameobi.

The Newcastle United loanee had been a little off in the first half and a couple of poor decisions seemed to be weighing on his mind. That spectacular strike changed everything and he was soon galloping happily again down the right.

The visitors changed things around by introducing Mark Duffy and grew into the game, pulling a goal back when Coutts’ effort clipped off Mark Beevers’ boot and flew past Alnwick.

Madine had another couple of half-chances, one header being blocked at the near post by Ramsdale and another scooped straight at the keeper from the edge of the box. Wanderers were seeing less of the ball as the game went on but with an outlet like Clough, they are always a threat.

Once again the little man led two defenders a merry dance on the edge of the box but this time his clever pass for Vela gave the midfielder a chance to swivel and tuck the ball under the keeper for a fantastic third.

There was still time for late drama as O’Connell headed home with four minutes to go.

Wanderers worked hard to make sure there was no replay. Jamie Proctor was especially impressive keeping possession late on to starve the Blades of opportunities.

The club’s last FA Cup second round game had been against Rochdale, with Jason McAteer scoring on his debut in a 4-0 win to book a tie with holders Liverpool.

We all know how that game turned out. Parkinson has made sure his players do too.